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Thailand. They don't give permanent residency here anyway. The laws on the books make it sound as if they do but in reality they don't. So you have to find anot

Thailand. They don't give permanent residency here anyway. The laws on the books make it sound as if they do but in reality they don't. So you have to find another way to stay long term. For young people they make it difficult unless you can land a job (few jobs for foreigners here) or start a business (expensive and designed to fleece foreigners, beware). Other ways are retirement visa, spouse support visa, education visa, long stay medical care visa. Staying long term on a tourist visa and doing visa runs every month is dumb and doesn't work anymore anyway since they cracked down on it. If you can manage the visa issue then you can get excellent care at a tiny fraction of what you pay in the US. Over the years I have had surgery, been hospitalized for an illness, had a fair amount of dental work, and had thorough medical exams annually. It's not just the low cost. The service and hospitality is unlike what I ever experienced in the US.

patryn20 9y ago
Thank you for the insight. I hadn't honestly considered Asian countries; which is silly since I have friends living in several.
- geomark 9y ago
  Asia is a big place and I don't know much about other Asian countries. But Thailand works very well for me. It's not for everyone, for sure.
  - Radim 9y ago
    We've lived in Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea, and medical care has been fairly atrocious in each one. This was the most pronounced in South Korea, because it is so advanced technologically but somehow still has that SEA feel of wanton medical incompetence. It catches you by surprise more. Massive doses of antibiotics no matter what, IVs for no good reason, X-ray to check for head lice (!!)... fun stuff. I heard medical care in Singapore and HK can be excellent though. Interesting to hear you've had such a good experience in Thailand, it was the opposite for us (GP, dental, surgical -- you name it, it sucked, even in ?top? places like the Bangkok Hospital). Where did you go?
    - geomark 9y ago
      My wife had surgery at Bumrungrad, one of the well known private hospitals - excellent in every respect. I had surgery at Siriraj, a public hospital - tired looking buildings and not luxurious like Bumrungrad but excellent care and results. Every member of the family has had at least one night in Bangkok Hospital (Pak Chong branch) due to various illnesses - always had good care. I've had dental work at Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital and more recently been going to a small dental clinic near my home. Besides regular checkups and cleanings I had a redo of a root canal that was done in the US and went bad after moving to Thailand, got a new crown, and had some old fillings replaced - excellent care in all cases and particularly the dental clinic has the latest and greatest dental tech. I have also been getting annual medical exams since moving here 15 years ago, at Bumrungrad, Phayathai, St Mary's Korat, and Bangkok Hospital (Korat and Pak Chong branches). They have always been routine and efficient. The weak spot is the consultation with the GP after all your results are in - some of them a pretty dopey and I would guess it is those guys that are going to be a bad experience if you see one of them for an ailment. Those are all anecdotes, of course. YMMV.
apatters 9y ago
To add some perspective on Thailand from a fellow resident... > Thailand. They don't give permanent residency here anyway. While the process is difficult and there are caps on how many people can receive it each year, people can and do obtain permanent residence in Thailand. I know a number of people with PR, they're all businesspeople who have been here for many years. > start[ing] a business (expensive and designed to fleece foreigners, beware). The Thai Board of Investment provides a number of attractive incentives, including a 5 year income tax holiday(!), to foreigners starting a technology business who are willing to commit to modest capital and hiring requirements. Doing business in Thailand is difficult in other ways (limited technical talent, limited and poor English skills, high compliance burden), but I wouldn't characterize BOI as a scheme to fleece foreigners at all. If you are incorporating without a BOI promotion then things are much less attractive, but most software businesses with an intent to hire a few employees will qualify pretty easily. > you can get excellent care at a tiny fraction of what you pay in the US True but with caveats. When it comes to affordable, good health care, "better than the US" is not a meaningful standard. The US is a shameful failure in this regard. That said, the cost and quality of health care in Thailand are pretty good--aside from a good private system, Thais and foreigners on long-term visas get free universal health care at government hospitals(!), some of which are pretty good. But it should be noted that private insurance in Thailand carries a number of limitations, such as maximum lifetime payouts and long lists of conditions which aren't covered. In short, the Thai system serves medical tourists very well, but if you're looking for lifelong, comprehensive coverage, things get complicated. My personal opinion is that Thailand is trying in this area, but currently isn't the best place for most tech businesses to incorporate unless they want access to the Thai market. The main reason for this is the limited talent pool. For some businesses, BOI incentives and the low cost of operating here may make up for this. Either way, Thailand is still a pretty amazing lifestyle destination, and for freelancers/remote companies/very small biz level there are a few options to stay here long-term (Iglu, Elite visa, etc.).
- geomark 9y ago
  "Thais and foreigners on long-term visas get free universal health care at government hospitals(!), some of which are pretty good" That's interesting. What type of long-term visas qualify foreigners for universal health care? Some of the government hospitals are good as you said. I had foot surgery at Siriraj Hostpital, Thailand's oldest and biggest government hospital. While the facilities are old and tired-looking the care was excellent and the doctor was outstanding, this guy https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus. But I went during their "special clinic hours" which is the same facilities but different hours than when the universal health care patients are treated. Unlike the regular hours, during special clinic hours you have to actually pay for services.

patryn20 9y ago

Thank you for the insight. I hadn't honestly considered Asian countries; which is silly since I have friends living in several.

geomark 9y ago
Asia is a big place and I don't know much about other Asian countries. But Thailand works very well for me. It's not for everyone, for sure.
- Radim 9y ago
  We've lived in Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea, and medical care has been fairly atrocious in each one. This was the most pronounced in South Korea, because it is so advanced technologically but somehow still has that SEA feel of wanton medical incompetence. It catches you by surprise more. Massive doses of antibiotics no matter what, IVs for no good reason, X-ray to check for head lice (!!)... fun stuff. I heard medical care in Singapore and HK can be excellent though. Interesting to hear you've had such a good experience in Thailand, it was the opposite for us (GP, dental, surgical -- you name it, it sucked, even in ?top? places like the Bangkok Hospital). Where did you go?
  - geomark 9y ago
    My wife had surgery at Bumrungrad, one of the well known private hospitals - excellent in every respect. I had surgery at Siriraj, a public hospital - tired looking buildings and not luxurious like Bumrungrad but excellent care and results. Every member of the family has had at least one night in Bangkok Hospital (Pak Chong branch) due to various illnesses - always had good care. I've had dental work at Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital and more recently been going to a small dental clinic near my home. Besides regular checkups and cleanings I had a redo of a root canal that was done in the US and went bad after moving to Thailand, got a new crown, and had some old fillings replaced - excellent care in all cases and particularly the dental clinic has the latest and greatest dental tech. I have also been getting annual medical exams since moving here 15 years ago, at Bumrungrad, Phayathai, St Mary's Korat, and Bangkok Hospital (Korat and Pak Chong branches). They have always been routine and efficient. The weak spot is the consultation with the GP after all your results are in - some of them a pretty dopey and I would guess it is those guys that are going to be a bad experience if you see one of them for an ailment. Those are all anecdotes, of course. YMMV.

apatters 9y ago

To add some perspective on Thailand from a fellow resident... > Thailand. They don't give permanent residency here anyway. While the process is difficult and there are caps on how many people can receive it each year, people can and do obtain permanent residence in Thailand. I know a number of people with PR, they're all businesspeople who have been here for many years. > start[ing] a business (expensive and designed to fleece foreigners, beware). The Thai Board of Investment provides a number of attractive incentives, including a 5 year income tax holiday(!), to foreigners starting a technology business who are willing to commit to modest capital and hiring requirements. Doing business in Thailand is difficult in other ways (limited technical talent, limited and poor English skills, high compliance burden), but I wouldn't characterize BOI as a scheme to fleece foreigners at all. If you are incorporating without a BOI promotion then things are much less attractive, but most software businesses with an intent to hire a few employees will qualify pretty easily. > you can get excellent care at a tiny fraction of what you pay in the US True but with caveats. When it comes to affordable, good health care, "better than the US" is not a meaningful standard. The US is a shameful failure in this regard. That said, the cost and quality of health care in Thailand are pretty good--aside from a good private system, Thais and foreigners on long-term visas get free universal health care at government hospitals(!), some of which are pretty good. But it should be noted that private insurance in Thailand carries a number of limitations, such as maximum lifetime payouts and long lists of conditions which aren't covered. In short, the Thai system serves medical tourists very well, but if you're looking for lifelong, comprehensive coverage, things get complicated. My personal opinion is that Thailand is trying in this area, but currently isn't the best place for most tech businesses to incorporate unless they want access to the Thai market. The main reason for this is the limited talent pool. For some businesses, BOI incentives and the low cost of operating here may make up for this. Either way, Thailand is still a pretty amazing lifestyle destination, and for freelancers/remote companies/very small biz level there are a few options to stay here long-term (Iglu, Elite visa, etc.).

geomark 9y ago
"Thais and foreigners on long-term visas get free universal health care at government hospitals(!), some of which are pretty good" That's interesting. What type of long-term visas qualify foreigners for universal health care? Some of the government hospitals are good as you said. I had foot surgery at Siriraj Hostpital, Thailand's oldest and biggest government hospital. While the facilities are old and tired-looking the care was excellent and the doctor was outstanding, this guy https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus. But I went during their "special clinic hours" which is the same facilities but different hours than when the universal health care patients are treated. Unlike the regular hours, during special clinic hours you have to actually pay for services.